Quartz is the more accurate watch, and a mechanical one is the better object. Which you should buy depends on what you want the watch to do for you.

The three types compared

Quartz runs on a battery. A manual watch is mechanical and wound by hand. An automatic is mechanical and winds itself from your wrist.

Accuracy and upkeep

Quartz wins on accuracy and asks for little. A mechanical watch is affected by position and by how fully it's wound. The Noctra Obscura is regulated to within twelve seconds a day and needs a service roughly every five years.

Cost over ten years

Quartz is usually cheaper to buy, and a battery change costs less than a service. The Noctra Obscura is priced at $2,200 in US dollars, inclusive of all taxes. Final pricing is confirmed at the in-person sale. For two years, covered claims carry no service cost. After that the cost depends on the work, and we aim to keep it fair. Buy a mechanical watch to wear, not for its value.

Who each type suits

Quartz suits hard use and anyone who wants no fuss. Manual suits people who enjoy winding. Automatic suits someone who wears one watch most days and values what's inside it.

Our view on the automatic

We make automatics, so we aren't neutral. We like that there's no battery and no charger. If that sounds fair, see the Noctra collection. If quartz suits you better, that's a good choice too. For more, follow us on Instagram, YouTube and X at @vrenelofficial, or read our stories.